Beijing Olympics: Day 11 for Team Philippines

It was a cloudy, humid and hot day here in Beijing. As usual, I’m at the Nest boring myself out waiting for that elusive call. However, at 9:40am, I went up to level 0 and watch the long jump preliminaries. In Group B, our very own Marestella Torres vied for qualifying to the finals.

She was the 16th jumper in her group and with a personal best of 6.86m. I went up that morning rooting for her as if she’s able to jump her personal best, she would be able to qualify to the finals. Jumper after jumper, foul after foul. Then I saw a glimpse of her, warming herself up. Dressed in Philippine colors, I first thought the jumper was from Brazil. However, at the back of her bikini, there stood PHI for Philippines.

First jump.. and there she runs building up a momentum then the hop? She didn’t foul but she only jumped 4.27m. I groaned and said to myself, “ano ba yan! (what was that?)”. I just pray she does better in her next jump. I went back down to the office as it will be quite a wait for her next jump as there are 42 jumpers in all for both groups.

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Beijing Olympics: Philippines Athletes Update

It’s Day 4 in Beijing and the weather is perfect for sightseeing and outdoor sports. Tourist should be cautious as one American was already stabbed to death last Saturday at the Drum Tower. As for our athletes, only Miguel Molina was seen in action today at 7:28pm at the Water Cube.

Molina swam in the 2nd heat of the 200m breaststroke preliminaries. He clocked in at 2:16.94 to finish 6th on his heat. He wasn’t able to match his personal best of 2:16.62 which he registered in the Janet Evans International Invitational last July in California. There goes his dream but he’ll get another chance tomorrow in the 200m individual medley preliminaries.

So for a recap, out of the 15 athletes, three already are out of the medal running. Tomorrow will be a big day as four athletes will see action most importantly Harry Tanamor’s match against Plange at 8:15pm (not 8:45pm as previously announced).

For Day 5 updates, click this link.   For Olympic Park and some Games pictures, click this link.